Category Archives: Tabboun

The Tabboun: Fake Rahall site misleads voters

The Tabboun: an outdoor oven where Arab women would bake bread and sit and talk and gossip about events and people

English: , member of the United States House of Representatives. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Republican Party has turned to a sleazy new technique to undermine their Democratic opponents, building fake websites to negatively promote the target candidates, including one targeting American Arab Congressman Nick Rahall of West Virginia. Rahall’s real site is at www.nickrahall.com.

The fake site is online at nickrahallforcongress.com and was funded by the National Republican Congressional Committee which is using the sites to solicit funds from online visitors. The NRCC has created dozens of fake sites targeting Democratic incumbents and some argue are misleading donors.

Not surprisingly, the Federal Election Board has not issued a statement on the problem.

CONTROVERSY FOLLOWS Olympian and Alpine Skiing athlete Jacky Chamoun at the Sochi Olympics. Chamoun posed for a calendar called ‘Ski Instructors’ shot by fellow Olympian Hubertus von Hohenlohe. The shots were risque and shot on the Faraya ski slopes outside Beirut in Lebanon. The shoot included teammate Chirine Njeimand created some negative publicity in Lebanon, though she was happy with the calendar. “It was positive for me. I don’t regret it at all,” Chamoun said. “When I started my job, for example, people when they search for me on the web sometimes they can see these pictures directly so you think maybe it’s not the best thing, not the best image you can give someone of you. But, I don’t really care. I really enjoyed it and I don’t regret it. I like these photos. I have no problem with it.”

WHO WAS THE FIRST person to open an Arab American store in Flint, Michigan, a community not too far from the Plymouth Rock of American Arabs, Dearborn, Michigan? Well, MLive.com writer Scott Atkinsonsays it is Ameen Farah, who is featured in research conducted by author and scholar Hani Bawardi who has a new book coming out soon called “The Making of Arab Americans.” Sounds like a great book and we can’t wait to read it and promote. Click here to read the story.

COCA-COLA PARTNERING WITH KEURIG to produce a pop-maker that will create soda pop in the home in a small “k-cup.” The idea of fake pop, though turns off many people. But the motivation behind it might be an effort by Coca-Cola to blunt any economic advances by SodaStream which is marketing a similar device to make homemade pop. The SodaStream effort has been the focus of much controversy because its largest factory is based in the racist all-Jewish illegal settlement of Maale Adumim in the Israeli Occupied West Bank. Maale Adumim is built on lands forcibly taken from Christian and Muslim Arabs of Palestine in when the West Bank was occupied by Israeli in June 1967. SodaStream has hired Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson as their representative. Pro-Israel critics have accused President Barack Obama and his supporters of being behind a decision by Oxfam to drop Johansson as their “ambassador.” Oxfam is an international development organization that fights poverty. Click here for more information about Oxfam.

MORE BIAS FROM CONGRESS, the beehive of racist hatred and xenophobia. The US House of Representatives is proposing to adopt a new bill that would allow Israelis to enter the United States like citizens without a Visa, while increasing restrictions on Arabs and Muslims. The new bill is sponsored by California Congressman Brad Sherman, a member of the growing anti-Arab and anti-Muslim congressional caucus. Click for information on the bill. … Secretary of State John Kerry is reportedly denying rumors that he is considering running for President in 2016 in the Democratic Primary, presumably against his predecessor and former First Lady and Congressman Hillary Clinton. The reports are surfacing in the American Jewish media, which seems to be lining up against both Clinton and Kerry because of their often balanced opinions pushing for Israeli and Palestinian equality and peace. … Western Illinois University has done a nice profile of Jack Shaheen, a scholar who has helped document the images and negative stereotypes of Arabs in Hollywood movies. Click here to read the profile.

WORD ON THE STREET: … It’s encouraging that the word on the street is that AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) is experiencing a drop in its influence. The more Israelis criticize President Obama and his efforts to bring about a fair and just resolution of the Israel-Palestine Conflict, the more Americans are starting to see many Israelis and especially the Israeli government as the ingrates that they are. American taxpayers give Israel more than $5 billion a year in subsidies and grants, and they are still bashing America for standing up to civil rights abuses by Israel in the Occupied Territories and by refusing to recognize the Illegal Israeli settlements. Most recently, attacks have come from the Deputy Managing Editor of the Jerusalem Post Caroline Glick whose columns attacking peace and Arabs have recently included criticism of America.

The Tabboun: Octomom Nadya Suleman charged with welfare fraud

A celebrity and personality column on American Arabs

Octomom Nadya Suleman vs Shila (Photo credit: RayBanBro66)

Octomom Nadya Suleman vs Shila (Photo credit: RayBanBro66)

Nadya Suleman, who gave birth to a record 14 children including octuplets (eight children), was charged in Los Angeles with Welfare fraud. Prosecutors allege that she failed to disclose more than $30,000 she earned while receiving welfare. The $30,000 came in the form of video royalty payments, personal appearance fees, the production of a soft-porn video and a woman’s boxing match. She could face a maximum of five years and eight months imprisonment.

Suleman, 38, is of Iraqi and Assyrian heritage. Her father is Edward Daoud Suleman, who reportedly served in the Iraqi military. Her mother is Angela Victoria Suleman, a retired school teacher.

To pay for the cost of raising 14 children, Suleman also starred in a “solo-pornography” movie. She claimed she would do anything to provide for her children.

The criminal indictment alleges that Suleman illegally received $6,667 from the CalWorks financial assistance program and $9,814 from the CalFresh food aid program during the first six months of 2013. Suleman was charged with one count of misrepresentation and two counts of perjury by submitting false aid applications.

Suleman has been the target of much criticism and has received numerous death threats because of her high profile and controversial life.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MORE ISRAEL BOYCOTTS: The American Studies Association (ASA) has become the latest American educational group to vote to embrace an academic boycott of Israel to protest Israel’s oppressive policies against civilian Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank, and under military imprisonment in the Gaza Strip. Similar boycotts against Israel have been endorsed by the American Language Associationand also leading intellectuals includingStephen Hawking. Activists insist the boycott movement is growing but so far the boycotts of Israel have created more media debates than actual impact on Israel, which has not changed its discriminatory policies against non-Jews in Israel and in the occupied territories. Although Americans support the concept of boycotts, which helped the civil rights movement and activists like the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., boycotts against Israel have been denounced as “anti-Semitic” by the pro-Israel lobby and leaders of anti-Arab hate organizations. Click to read more about boycotts of Israel.

DEARBORN AND GREATER DETROIT’s Arab American community is expected to come out in force to celebrate the retirement of Hassane Jaafar, a longtime educator and the husband of community activist and Diversity trainer Siham Awad Jaafar at a dinner scheduled for Jan. 31 at Byblos Banquets, 7258 Chase Road. The tickets are only $25 and are made out to Edsel Ford High school, the recipient of the funds. For information, email Siham at ForJaafar@SBCGlobal.net. … Join MEDIA KING & DJ KHALIL for the ultimate welcoming of 2014 !!! At Byblos Cafe, 2832 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, Florida. Start your NEW year off right & join us for the hottest International party this year!!! DJ KHALIL will be playing some of the newest & hottest ARABIC songs of 2014! Reserve now you don’t want to miss this one! … Netflix will be soon offering The Square, a documentary film about The Egyptian Revolution which has been an ongoing roller coaster over the past two and a half years. Through the news, we only get a glimpse of the bloodiest battle, an election, or a million man march. At the beginning of July 2013, we witnessed the second president deposed within the space of three years. The Square is an immersive experience, transporting the viewer deeply into the intense emotional drama and personal stories behind the news. It is the inspirational story of young people claiming their rights, struggling through multiple forces, in the fight to create a society of conscience. Get more information on the film The Square online at www.thesquarefilm.com.

The Tabboun: Top American Arab newsmakers of 2013

By Ray Hanania

Americans Arabs who led the news this past year did so in many different circumstances including in achievement and in controversy.

Here’s a run-down of some of the top newsmakers for 2013.

IN POLITICS

091226-F-0335M-044 (Photo credit: isafmedia)

The most influential American Arab in politics is, without a doubt, U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa. Issa is a master politician and public servant representing California’s 49th District since 2001. An Army veteran, Congressman Issa is Republican originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Last year, Issa sponsored 37 bills ranging from offering healthcare to Americans to amending the immigration act to bring the most qualified immigrants to America’s shores. His website is www.issa.house.gov.

Sam Rasoul in Virginia announced his bid for election to the Virginia House of delegates (state legislature). Rasoul previously ran unsuccessfully for Congress, but everyone remembers thatAbraham Lincoln lost his election bids before winning. Lincoln lost his first bid for the legislature only to win in a few years later. Then he ran for Congress and lost, and then came back to win. He lost his bid for the U.S. Senate twice before he was then elected President of the United States. But Sam Rasoul won, and declared victory on his Facebook page. It’s a big win for American Arabs. Rasoul’s win means the partisan breakdown of the Virginia House will remain 67 Republicans and 33 Democrats. Republicans control every other seat in Southwest Virginia.

In Oklahoma City, Council member Dr. Ed Shadid launched his election for the office of Mayor and has been embroiled in a tough political battle that has focused on his divorce from his wife. The Oklahoman Newspaper, which has been criticized for anti-Arab biases, drove a high profile election campaign to force Shadid’s divorce papers to be unsealed, hoping to disclose embarrassing information on Shadid that might help the two-term incumbent Oklahoma City Mayor Mike Cornett win a third term. The election is March 4.

In Detroit’s suburbs, State Rep. Rashida Tlaib is seeking to move to the Michigan State Senate in March, but her accusations of sexual harassment made against Imad Hamad, ADC Michigan’s former Midwest Executive Director, have divided the community. Although American Arabs only make up a small portion of the district’s population, Tlaib is relying on American Arab support for fundraising. Imad has denied the accusations, which Tlaib asserts occurred more than 15 years ago.

IN COMMUNITY

ADC (The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee) continues to be the target of political opportunists and haters. A small group of extremists based in Detroit and Washington D.C. have stepped up their campaign to destroy ADC, which they have criticized for not doing enough in the area of international politics. ADC’s highly regarded Board Chairman Dr. Safa Rifka has refused to bend to the fanatics and has pushed to keep the organization focused on its real mandate, to fight legitimate discrimination against American Arabs. Part of the change involved the dismissal of Warren David, who is related to one of the ADC critics, as National President.

Hollywood actor Sayed Badreya is pushing new films after completing the award winning movie short in Chicago in 2012 called “Chicago Mirage,” and appearing in a cameo role in the hit comedy “The Three Stooges” in 2011. Badreya has appeared in several movie blockbusters including “The Insider,” “Three Kings,” “Independence Day,” and “Iron Man.” He also appeared in Sacha Baron Cohen’s controversial satire “The Dictator.”

One of the new faces in American Arab comedy include Ramzy Sweis, whose 39 comic Youtube videos have generated more than 1 million total views. The Jordanian American standup comedian has been on a roll since entering comedy in 2010 and is currently working on his first full length film. Break a leg. Kill the audience. Slay them. Don’t bomb on stage. (Comedy is so violent!)

IN JOURNALISM

Veteran American Arab journalist Helen Thomas died on July 20, 2013, ending a career of groundbreaking achievements in journalism and for women. Thomas was a member of the White House Press Corp covering every president from John F. Kennedy thru Barack Obama, until she was chased out of her career by pro-Israel extremists who twisted her criticism of Israel into false allegations of “anti-Semitism.” The prior year, Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist Anthony Shadid had died in February 2012 while covering the Syria uprising against tyrant Bashar al-Assad.

Yahala Voice Radio launched their radio and national online presence on the Internet in 2012 at YahalaVoice.com.

Detroit Radio Hostess Laila alHusini celebrated 10 years as an accomplished journalist in Greater Detroit on Radio Baladi and US CHAAM Media. Her morning show on WNZK AM Radio Monday through Friday is a staple of the American Arab community in Michigan. www.uschaammedia.com

Political columnist and cable TV media advisor Ali Younesis someone you must keep up with. Younes’ Op-Ed insights are seen in major television and media. The award winning columnist and political media analyst is the Middle East Political Editor for the Arab Daily News online newspaper (www.TheArabDailyNews.com).

IN PUBLISHING

Farouk Shami, who ran unsuccessfully for Texas Governor in 2010, published his novel “American by Choice” and has hosted the annual Miss Universe Beauty Pageants. Shami has appeared on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice as a business owner of Farouk Systems which produces the popular hair care product CHI.

Authors Joseph Geha, Anthony Shadid, Hala Alyan and Karen Leggett Abouraya (with co-author Susan L. Roth) all received Book Awards from The Arab American National Museum.

IN LAW

Joumana, Watching Over Us (Photo credit: Bill on Capitol Hill)

Detroit Attorney Joumana Kayrouz continues to lead the field of personal injury and auto accident legal services, dominating the market with her high profile ubiquitous billboard and buses advertising campaign promoting her popular “1-800-YourRights” slogan and YourRights.com website. Kayrouz is a major philanthropist who has donated to charities including making major contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. www.YoursRights.com.

ACTIVISM

The American Task Force on Palestine is one of the few American Arab organizations that plays a major role in influencing public perceptions and politics. The Not-for-Profit organization offers professional insight into the Middle East peace process. Two instrumental leaders at the ATFP who play a key role in the organizations success are its president Ziad Asali and Hussein Ibish, one of the community’s most brilliant writers and analysts. Ibish offers some of the most reasoned and accurate political perspectives on the fast-changing Middle East political and social landscape and is must read for anyone who has an interest in that region. Their website iswww.americantaskforce.org. The ATFP is the leading American Arab organization in the country.

Other influential and important American Arab organizations in the United States includeADC, The Ramallah Federation, NAAP the national Arab American Professionals, theArab American Association of Engineers & Architects, ALSAC Children’sResearch Hospital Association, and The Midwest Federation of Syrian and Lebanese Clubs of American.

IN SPORTS

Leading the profession of sports is Brandon Saad, Left Wing player for the Chicago Black Hawks. Saad’s performance last year helped the Black Hawks win the Stanley Cup. Of Syrian-Lebanese American heritage, Saad is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began his career in 2010.

NUMBER ONE CHALLENGE

Forcing the U.S. Census to treat American Arabs as equals continues to be the number one challenge of the past 60 years. Although the U.S. Census is starting to respond to the needs of American Arabs, the community has been left out of the Census which identifies more than 25 different ethnic and national groups on its form by specific identity, while Arabs are not listed and must write themselves in on the “Other” category line.

Being listed and identified in the Census almost guarantees hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds and grants to communities identified by the Census. Excluding American Arabs results in the loss of these funds. If the Census is going to continue to identify ethnic and national groups then they must include Arabs as an official category.

The Tabboun: Personalities in the news, Top Stories of 2013

This is a photo showing Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 28 December 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

AMERICAN JAILED IN DUBAI OVER YOUTUBE VIDEO American Shezanne Cassim and four other men were sentenced to one year in prison in the United Arab Emirates for producing an online video on Youtube that satirized teenagers in Dubai. The youtube video is called “Satwa Comedy School.”Click here to view the online video. Cassim and the other defendants have been jailed since April awaiting trial which concluded this week with their conviction and fines of up to $3,000 or more. Comedians around the world have spoken out against the UAE Law. The 19-minute video parodiesDubai teens who embrace hip-hop culture. The term “Satwa G” was coined in the 1990s to describe teenagers and young people known to talk tougher than they really are. …

CALIFORNIA ARAB DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE LEADERSHIP The Arab American Democrats of California had its third annual holiday party December 3 to celebrate the group’s accomplishments in public office this year, and to review areas where members could improve their impact as the 2014 election season approaches. About 40 people attended.

ANN ARBOR STUDENTS SHOCKED WITH EVICTION NOTICE members of the BDS Movement in Ann Arbor stirred shock when they distributed 1,500 mock eviction notices to students on campus, saying their homes would be demolished without delay. The mock eviction notice warned: ”If you do not vacate the premises by 13 DECEMBER 6 PM, we reserve the right to demolish your premises without delay. We cannot be held responsible for property or persons remaining inside. Charges for demolition will be applied to your student account.” The stunt was sponsored by the members of Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) whose members support the BDS campaign (Boycott, Divest, Sanctions) which targets Israel’s occupation and oppression against Palestinians. Israel frequently expels Palestinian homeowners and destroys their homes as a part of their campaign to reduce the non-Jewish population in the occupied territories in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

TOP ARAB AMERICAN EVENTS OF 2013 In the category of Top Stories of 2013, several captured the attention of Americans Arabs. The death of award winning White House Journalist Helen Thomas is seen as one of the top events of 2013 impacting the American Arab community. Thomas covered every American President from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. She was viciously slandered in 2010 after a video blogger ambushed her and twisted her words critical of Israel to make them appear anti-Semitic. The anti-Arab mainstream American newspaper, and the viciously anti-Arab Society of Professional Journalists, attacked Thomas and other American Arabs who defended her, shutting down the Arab American Journalism Section of the SPJ. Thomas was 92 when she passed away on July 20, 2013. … The second of the top stories of 2013 is the assault against ADC by a cabal of extremist activists who have falsely charged that the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is insensitive to the rights of women. Michigan DirectorImad Hamad was forced out of his job, and ADC President Warren David was forced to resign after some board members alleged he failed to properly represent ADC’s interests in the Hamad controversy. David was replaced by attorney Samer Khalaf. Hamad was replaced by Attorney Fatina Abdrabboh. Hamad had been re-accused of having sexually harassed women interns at ADC Michigan more than four years ago. The chief protagonist, State Rep. Rashida Tlaib, asserted she had been sexually harassed 15 years before. Many accused the critics of engaging in a political campaign to undermine ADC because of the groups more liberal policies on Syria and Israel. The Annual ADC Michigan Banquet Dec. 13, was also cancelled at the last minute in the face of protests from a handful of extremists, ADC officials said.

ANOTHER OF THE TOP STORIES FOR 2013 involved American Jennifer Grout, 23, of Massachusetts, grabbed worldwide attention when she became a finalist in the popular Middle East reality competition “Arabs Got Talent.” Grout couldn’t converse in Arabic but was able to perform several popular and traditional Arabic songs with near perfection, including by singer Umm Kulthoum. … Farouk Shami, a Palestinian-American businessman and founder of the hair-care and spa products company, Farouk Systems, published his book “American by Choice.” He currently resides in Houston, Texas, where his company is based. … Greater Detroit region Attorney Susan Dabaja became the first Arab and Muslim American to be elected Dearborn City Council president. A total of four Arab Americans were elected to serve as Council members, giving American Arabs their first ever control of a municipality. … The Annual Arab International Festival was cancelled this year, held every summer.

ANOTHER OF THE TOP STORIES FOR 2013 involved the launch of AlJazeera America (AJAM) on American Cable TV. Aljazeera, the Qatar-based Arab Satellite News Channel has been fighting for more than decade to be allowed to broadcast to Americans, but only began broadcasting 24 hours day on August 20, 2013 after purchasing Currents TV from former Vice President Al Gore. The majority of its news reports are hosted by veteran American journalists.

AMERICAN ARABS DENOUNCED ASuperBowl Advertisement from Coca Cola entitled “Mirage.” American viewers on Youtube were asked to vote for the “winner” in a race through the desert. The Ad shows an Arab walking through a desert and he soon sees Cowboys, Las Vegas showgirls and a Motley Crew of people based on the apocalyptic “Mad Max” film who all race past him to reach a gigantic bottle of Coke. In the ad, Coke asks viewers to vote online on which characters should win the race to the refreshing Coca Cola bottle. The online site did not allow a vote for the Arab character. More than 100 million Americans viewed the commercial during the Super Bowl football Game on Feb. 3, 2013. Abed Ayoub, director of legal and policy affairs for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, said the commercial could harm Coke’s business with the Arab community. ”Coke should understand and respect their consumers and have a better understanding of the market they are sharing,” he said.

Tabboun: Israelis seeking to defend Netanyahu’s Mandela snub

Many Israelis are irked over the fact that so much attention has been put on rightwing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has been criticized roundly for deciding not to attend the memorial service in Soweto, South Africa for anti-Apartheid iconic leader Nelson Mandela. Israel sent a lower ranking delegation in the Prime Minister’s place, even though heads of states from 100 other countries including President Barack Obamaattended and spoke passionately about Mandela’s fight against racism.

The truth is Israel had been very close to the Apartheid Republic of South Africa which had imprisoned Mandela for 25 years for his armed struggle against the racist colony. And many compare Israel to Apartheid South Africa because of their discriminatory policies against non-Jews, Palestinian Christians and Muslims in the Occupied Territories.

But now to help the image struggling Netanyahu, many Israelis are asking why no one is criticizing Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, did not attend the memorial either. Of course, no one has ever compared Turkey to Apartheid South Africa the way they do with Israel.

Activists target products sold in US that are made in the Israeli occupied West Bank

The Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine is urging followers to boycott SodaStream. Here is the release they put out:

Looking for some occupation-free holiday cheer? We’ll be singing alternative carols and educating consumers outside Target on the corner of State and Madison in Chicago. Why? Because SodaStream is produced in an illegal settlement on occupied Palestinian land. We – and activists in 50 other cities -are raising our voices to ask Target and other retailers to take SodaStream off their shelves. We are also asking consumers not to buy SodaStream as a holiday gift – or any other time of the year.

SodaStream’s main production site is in Mishor Edomim, an Israeli settlement industrial park located in the West Bank. The land where the SodaStream factory is located was illegally confiscated by the Israeli military occupation authorities from Palestinian owners. SodaStream conceals that it is made in settlements by using the “Made in Israel” label.

Israeli settlements are an impediment to peace and violate international law. Since 1968, the US government has called on Israel to stop building and expanding settlements in the West Bank.

Hope to see you Saturday for an “occupation-free” holiday celebration.

ADC is in shock over extremist assault

The biggest mistake ADC National has made is not standing up to the fanatics who have been bashing it now for more than three years. It was ADC National’s bad luck that during those three years, the sexual harassment charges surfaced in Michigan against Imad Hamad, who was the executive director of ADC’s largest and most effective and profitable chapter in the United States. Some believed ADC Michigan under Hamad was in fact more powerful than ADC National. But when Hamad came under attack from political foes, and was accused of sexually harassing women in the past (four years ago and 15 years ago — charges that raised questions about the motives behind the assaults), ADC National reacted with Arrogance.

The pummeling began in 2010 when Ray Hanania was named to the ADC National Board. Hanania, who had been active in Chicago since ADC’s founding in 1980, had declined national appointments in the past but was urged to help re-active Chicago’s sleepy chapter. That year, under Hanania’s leadership, ADC Chicago raised more than $25,000 at one fundraiser, more than the chapter had raised for the organizations in all of the past six years before. But Hanania became a target of the extremists because he has been a stalwart moderate voice urging reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis. Most annoying to the fanatics is the fact that Hanania’s wife and son are Jewish. (Hanania’s mentor was Professor Ibrahim Abu-Lughod, whose wife also was Jewish.)

It was Hanania who nominated Warren David to become ADC’s new President.

After Hanania declined re-appointment to a second term, Safa Rifka, ADC National Board Chairman became the target of the fanatics. One of the most vocal critics happened to be a relative of Warren David and clearly the relationship was never sealed. David was fired Dec. 1 on orders from Rifka, according to David’s wife, activist Amal David.

After David’s firing, a small handful of extremists threatened to protest at ADC Michigan’s annual dinner banquet which was to be held this Friday, Dec. 13. Rather than standup to the fanatics, ADC decided to cancel the dinner, another major misstep on ADC National’s part. The cancellation of the dinner will cost ADC’s fundraising efforts significantly.

ADC is the most important organization defending the rights of American Arabs. It is the ONLY organization that battles anti-Arab discrimination, although the activists wanted to drag the organization into political battles and to become more virulently anti-Israel.

Another major factor is the divisions that exist in the American Arab community over the civil war in Syria. The most anti-Israel activists who oppose peace based on compromise, are diehard supporters of Syria’s tyrant Bashar al-Assad, who is an ally of Iran and Hezbollah. They wanted to silence the critics of Syria and use ADC as a foundation to strengthen ties with Syria. (Ironically, the original criticism of Rifka from the activists was that he had allegedly tried to censor a musician who planned to play a song some saw as being anti-Assad at an ADC convention a few years back.

The fanatics don’t care about ethics or hypocrisy. They have one goal. They want to be the loudest voices of hatred against Israel and in support of Assad. And they are willing to tear down any organization that tries to get int heir way. ADC National and its chapters were an obstacle. The cancellation of the dinner banquet is a blow to moderation and a sign that the fanatics are gaining ground in America.

At the biggest event of the decade, the memorial service honoring the late Nelson Mandela held at FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa, featured hundreds of the world’s most influential leaders speaking to hundreds of millions of viewers on television and cable broadcasts and online around the world. And next to the speaker was a man who turns out was a fake sign language professional who was making up hand gestures as speakers spoke. The sign language interpreter at the Mandela Memorial in Soweto was a fake. Broadcast to millions. Click here to view story from ABC

Here is the CNN Video. Amazing and disgraceful. The faker should be arrested and jailed for 25 years!

The Tabboun: ADC Chairman Safa Rifka to address Michigan Banquet

MICHIGAN ADC NATIONAL GALA: ADC National Board Chairman Safa Rifka will be the keynote speaker at the 34thADC Michigan Annual Benefit Gala, held under the title “ADC Empowering the Margins.” The event will be held on Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Greenfield Manor, located at 4770 Greenfield Rd, Dearborn, Michigan. Emcees of the Evening include Ms. Nadera Nassif & Ms. Jida Kilai. The National Anthem will be sung by artist Ms. Yasmin Suri. ADC Gala Committee Remarks will be offered by Dr.Ned Fawaz, Host Committee Chairman. The ADC National Remarks will be offered by ADC’s new National PresidentSamer Khalaf, who replaced Warren David. There will be a tribute to the late American Arab journalist Helen Thomas, followed by Rifka’s comments. Rifka is a master speaker. It will be interesting to hear him address the controversy that has shaken up Michigan’s ADC Chapter during the past year and the controversy that saw the ouster of longtime Michigan Director Imad Hamad.

The controversy involving unproven allegations of sexual harassment against Imad Hamad has been exploited by political extremists and fanatics including by groups like Ikhras, the anti-Arab hate site, and others. Rifka is expected to defend ADC which remains one of the most important American Arab organizations. Despite the personal attacks from the extremists, Rifka has stood firm and ADC has continued to battle bigotry and discrimination.

ARABS GOT TALENT SURPRISE

Jennifer Grout shocked many int he Arab World after it was clear she couldn’t understand Arabic. But her singing quickly won over the judges, although in the final episode of the popular Middle East TV show, she only came in 3rd place, despite the exaggerated speculation from the mainstream American news media. The most interesting aspect of the story is that more was written about Grout by the mainstream American news media than about American Arabs in the United States. … Do a search on Google for American Arabs and the top stories are Jennifer Grout and the “Ugly Arab” mascot of the Coachella Valley High school outside of Los Angeles. A sad state of affairs for American Arabs.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ABOUT AMERICAN ARABS

In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a visiting lecturer who discussed the struggles of being an Arab-American in a post-9/11 world was met with student support during his talk Thursday at MTSU. Moustafa Bayoumi, an author and professor of English at the Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, discussed his book, “How Does It Fell To Be a Problem: Being Young and Arab in America,” during a lecture that lasted for two hours in the State Farm Room of the Business and Aerospace Building at Middle Tennessee State University. Click here to read the story in the Daily News Journal. … the new online social media siteChatArabs.com is interesting but it has some kinks to work out. I tried registering but the English side of the system doesn’t work as well as the Arabic side of the system. Hopefully, they will sort it out. Read story. …

Joe & Ann Betar named as longest married couple in America; Syrian Arabs from Connecticut

The mainstream American news media put the spotlight on an American Arab couple that was named named on Valentine’s Day by Worldwide Marriage Encounter as preparing to celebrate their 81st wedding anniversary on November 25. Worldwide Marriage Encounter named John Betar, 101, and his wife Ann Shawah Betar, 97 as their 2013′s “longest married couple” in America.

The couple from Fairfield, Connecticut eloped on Nov. 25, 1932 so that Ann Shawah could avoid being forced to marry a man who was 20 years her senior that her father had picked for her to marry. Shawah lived in Bridgevport, Connecticut which has a large Syrian American community. They fled to Harrison, New York, to avoid Ann’s father’s plans to marry her off to a man 20 years older.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter selects the longest married couple in the United States based on the nominations that are submitted. The honors came last year but the media spotlight showered the 80-year couple with national coverage. Elf Mabruk to John and Ann Betar on their 81st Wedding Anniversary.

(None of the newspapers would permit us to reprint their stories and we reached out to one of the Betar’s relatives.)

Images & Perception Conference hosts 2nd Annual Workshop in Chicago

Siham Awada Jaafar has been hosting the Images & Perception Conference for 10 years in Detroit and last year she brought the conference to Chicago where it was held at theAlhambra Palace restaurant in the West Loop in Chicago. But this year, at the last minute, Alhambra cancelled the booking and forced Siham to scramble to find a new location for the workshop which draws huge crowds. She settled on the luxury banquet facility The Carlisle in Lombard, which is just a few minutes from Chicago off the expressway and nearly 300 people attended to learn more about diversity and how American Arabs fit in with the rest of the world.

The keynote speaker was Keegan-Michael Key, who has produced and starred in so many Comedy Central programs and also in shows like the hilarious Reno 911 and starred on FOX TV’s hit series MADtv. The day-long program included many great speakers including Dr. John E. Woods, Professor of Iranian and Central Asian History in the Departments of History & of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago, who discussed stereotypes and misconceptions about “Arabs.” Dionna Griffin-Irons, a Chicago based performer, writer, and speaker whose roots in improv and sketch comedy started with the legendary Second City theatre, led the audience of social workers and educators through exercises employed by Second City to help students be more aware of how they relate to others.

Maaria Mozaffar, the founder and CEO of the Skinless Project Company, discussed how “The SkinLess Project” fills a much needed void she saw in the diverse communities she worked in. Aymen Abdel Halim, communications director at the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and DePaul professor, also spoke about challenges facing Muslims and Arabs. Journalist and communicator Ray Hanania provided standup comedy entertainment.